4 replies to this topic

[Julie Falling]

Hey –

I was reading Acts 3 this morning and found a variant not discussed in Metzger's Commentary, in Comfort's Commentary, in the NET Notes, or in either of my hard copies of the NT (UBS4 & NA27). What I found discussed was the word order at the end of the verse, but not the difference in the participle. Additionally, the Comfort Commentary has the the GNT-T participle instead of the GNT-TR participle in the comments about the TR. What's going on here? I am not a scholar, only a student. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Screen shots included. (Comfort also mistranslates the GNT-T participle.)

Thanks,
Julia

[James Tucker]

Hey –

I was reading Acts 3 this morning and found a variant not discussed in Metzger's Commentary, in Comfort's Commentary, in the NET Notes, or in either of my hard copies of the NT (UBS4 & NA27). What I found discussed was the word order at the end of the verse, but not the difference in the participle. Additionally, the Comfort Commentary has the the GNT-T participle instead of the GNT-TR participle in the comments about the TR. What's going on here? I am not a scholar, only a student. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Screen shots included. (Comfort also mistranslates the GNT-T participle.)

Thanks,
Julia

Ah, you've come across a classic example of the various ways words are represented according the sounds that one hears. Whether a variant garners discussion by a Textual Critic is a matter of judgment of the Textual Critic. Most often these variants are discussed in the introduction to the Apparatus (e.g., the phonology of /e/ with /ei/). Hence, the Textual Critic will rarely discuss these occurrences (and some diplomatic editions), or even consider them as variants to be listed in the critical app. the CNTTS apparatus is a good apparatus to have (as well as the GNT-Images series) to locate these types of variants.

[Julie Falling]

Thanks, Dr. Tucker. The two verbs may have a similar sound, but don't have the a similar meaning. At the same time, there is no big theological issue that hangs on one vs. the other. I'm debating whether or not to purchase CNTTS. As I said, I'm a student, not a scholar (and not a young one). I teach Sunday school. I don't, and never will, preach. However, I have audited Greek for the last 3-1/2 years (and done all the work) because I want to understand my Bible better, and because I want to be a better teacher. It's hard to decide where, financially, to draw the line to satisfy my desire for an explanation when differences like this arise.

Julia

[James Tucker]

Thanks, Dr. Tucker. The two verbs may have a similar sound, but don't have the a similar meaning. At the same time, there is no big theological issue that hangs on one vs. the other. I'm debating whether or not to purchase CNTTS. As I said, I'm a student, not a scholar (and not a young one). I teach Sunday school. I don't, and never will, preach. However, I have audited Greek for the last 3-1/2 years (and done all the work) because I want to understand my Bible better, and because I want to be a better teacher. It's hard to decide where, financially, to draw the line to satisfy my desire for an explanation when differences like this arise.

Julia

Indeed, this is a good case to demonstrate where a difference in sound also entails a difference in meaning. Most of the examples such as this don't create an ambiguity in the reading.

If you do decide to purchase the CNTTS, I think you can learn a great deal from the data. It's primarily a Textual Critical Tool, but often times textual criticism extends, or even relies upon, historical linguistics. Perhaps a family member could give it to you as a Christmas present.

Kudos on your teaching and greek endeavors!

[Julie Falling]

Thanks for the encouragement. Greek has been a lot of work, but it has also been a lot of fun. I think having had Latin all those decades ago in high school helped. And I really think being older helped. The Greek has certainly given me insight into the NT I would not have gained any other way.